Frontiers in Pharmacology (Nov 2022)

An orally available small molecule that targets soluble TNF to deliver anti-TNF biologic-like efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis

  • Alexander Vugler,
  • James O’Connell,
  • Mai Anh Nguyen,
  • Dietmar Weitz,
  • Thomas Leeuw,
  • Elizabeth Hickford,
  • Alexander Verbitsky,
  • Xiaoyou Ying,
  • Markus Rehberg,
  • Bruce Carrington,
  • Mark Merriman,
  • Andrew Moss,
  • Jean-Marie Nicholas,
  • Phil Stanley,
  • Sara Wright,
  • Tim Bourne,
  • Yann Foricher,
  • Daniel Brookings,
  • Helen Horsley,
  • Matthias Herrmann,
  • Srinivas Rao,
  • Markus Kohlmann,
  • Peter Florian

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1037983
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

Read online

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to a family of trimeric proteins with both proinflammatory and immunoregulatory functions. TNF is a key mediator in autoimmune diseases and during the last couple of decades several biologic drugs have delivered new therapeutic options for patients suffering from chronic autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Attempts to design small molecule therapies directed to this cytokine have not led to approved products yet. Here we report the discovery and development of a potent small molecule inhibitor of TNF that was recently moved into phase 1 clinical trials. The molecule, SAR441566, stabilizes an asymmetrical form of the soluble TNF trimer, compromises downstream signaling and inhibits the functions of TNF in vitro and in vivo. With SAR441566 being studied in healthy volunteers we hope to deliver a more convenient orally bioavailable and effective treatment option for patients suffering with chronic autoimmune diseases compared to established biologic drugs targeting TNF.

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